In one of these fireplaces were half-burnt logs; and a huge armchair, with a small reading-desk beside it, seemed to bespeak the recent occupation of the room.

On the fourth side, opposite the window, the wall was covered with faded tapestry, representing the meeting of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba; the arras was nailed over doors on either hand,--the chinks between the door and the wall serving, in one instance, to cut off in the middle his wise majesty, who was making a low bow; while in the other it took the ground from under the wanton queen, just as she was descending from her chariot.
Near the window stood a grand piano, the only modern article in the room, save one of the portraits, presently to be described.

On all this Evelyn gazed silently and devoutly: she had naturally that reverence for genius which is common to the enthusiastic and young; and there is, even to the dullest, a certain interest in the homes of those who have implanted within us a new thought.

But here there was, she imagined, a rare and singular harmony between the place and the mental characteristics of the owner.

She fancied she now better understood the shadowy and metaphysical repose of thought that had distinguished the earlier writings of Maltravers,--the writings composed or planned in this still retreat.
But what particularly caught her attention was one of the two portraits that adorned the mantelpieces.